
A 30 Minute Christmas Piay 



What 

Christmas 
Did 
For 



JERUSHfl GRUMBLE 



BY 

JOHN D. MACDONALD 



Published by 




265 W^st 36th Street 
New york 



What Christmas Did 

for 

Jerusha Grumble 

By 
JOHN D. MACPONALD 



Price 2§ cents each, postpaid 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 
Public performing rights gi'ven free 
luhen J" or more copies are purchased 




265 West 36th Street 



New York City 



Copy right IQTQ by Tullar-Mtrtdith Co. 
International Copyright Steured 







Requisites 



Time — About 30 minutes 

Characters — Isabel, Hazel, Julia, Jessie, Jerusha 
(Or it might be better if all used their own names except Jerusha.) 



Ftd "2 1920 



>C!.A5617J1 



/\A.Q 



What Christmas did for 
Jerusha Grumble 

A Play for Five Girls 
Scene — A sitting-room at Isabel's home 

Isabel (Isabel, Julia, Hazel busy with Christmas gifts). I suppose, Julia, 
you have finished all the Christmas presents that you intend to make this 
year. You certainly have been very industrious for the past few weeks. 

Julia. Industrious is the right way to put it, Isabel; I certainly have 

been very busy. But when this pair of mittens and wristlets that I am 

making for Tom are finished, I can say I am through for this year. 

Hazel. Have you made many presents this year, Juha? 

Julia. Yes, quite a number of them, Hazel. I don't remember just how 

many, but I surely have been busy. 

Hazel (teasingly, looking at Juha). 1 have heard say that it don't take 

much to keep some people busy. For instance, now. there is 

Julia (quickly). Now that's not me, Hazel, not at all. When I work, I 

work. 

Isabel. So does a pump-handle, Julia. But then some one must take hold 

of it. 

Julia. I see you girls just want to tease me. Well go ahead, I don't 

care. 

(Enter Jessie, excitedly, laying aside her wraps.) 
Hazel. Well, well ! If here isn't the sluggard at last. We thought you 
were never, never, going to come. What detained you so long? 
Jessie (flurried and excitedly). Oh, girls, you couldn't ever— ever guess. 
In a year's time you couldn't ever— ever — ever guess. 
Isabel. An engine down on the railroad crossing? 
Jessie. No! — No! (Shaking her head.) 

Juha. Had to wait for your mother to fix your hair, or tie your hair 
ribbons? 

Jessie. No! No! Oh, girls (holding up hands in surprise) just think of 
it! Jerusha Grumble was out sweeping off her walk as I came along 
and she looked up and smiled, and said just as pleasant as could be, 
"Good afternoon, Jessie." (All the girls rise quickly and look at Jessie 
in astonishment.) 
Julia (draivls out). She d-i-d? 
Jessie (nodding). U-m. Um— m. 
Hazel (with emphasis). She— did— indee-d? 

Jessie — Um . Um-m-m 

Isabel (more emphasis). Really — did she? 



What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble 



Jessie. Um — m. Why, girls, I was never so surprised in all my life. 
Jerusha Grumble never spoke so nice to me as she did to-day. I was so 
surprised that I really had to stop every few minutes to think about it. 
That is one reason why I am so late in coming here. 

Hazel (girls take seats again). Well, this is a surprise, Jessie, to think 
Jerusha took the trouble to speak kindly to one of us girls. I don't 
think she would ever say good afternoon to me, for you know she has 
been very angry with me ever since I called her a cranky old maid. 

Isabel. Dear me. Hazel, you ought not to have said that to her, Jerusha 
is cross, and awfully cranky, too, but perhaps there has been something 
in her life that has made her dislike every one. I heard father say once, 
that Jerusha had a sweetheart a long time ago, and that a girl named 
Hannah Takehim won him away from her, and Jerusha hasn't been like 
the same person since. But I really do wish she would be different. 

Jessie. She must be getting different, or she wouldn't have spoken so 
nice to me to-day. _Do you know, girls, what I was thinking of on my 
way here? It was just this. That we four be a committee to go down 
to see Jerusha, and invite her to go to the Christmas tree exercises to- 
morrow night. Let's try to get Jerusha out among the people of the vil- 
lage, and when she sees that we want to be friendly with her, perhaps 
she will be different. 

Julia. As likely as not when she sees us come in her gate, she will get 
angry and meet us at the door with a broomstick. 

Jessie. Never mind how mad she is, we'll pretend not to notice it, but 
all speak pleasantly to her, and gently push our way into the house. 

Hazel. I am perfectly willing to go, because I would really like to see 
Jerusha live like other people, and not be such an unsociable old creature. 
Shall we all go girls ? I will lead the way. 
All. Yes, we will all go, Hazel. 

Hazel. We'll all meet at my house to-morrow afternoon. (All leave for 
home with goodbyes, etc.) 

Scene II. — Sitting-room at Jerusha's home 
(Oil stove in one corner; ironing hoard in the other. Jerusha's large 
rocker at one side. Jerusha very busy.) 

Jerusha. Well, Jerusha Grumble, you're getting awful tired, indeed you 
are. But my sakes, how happy you have been to-day. (Seats herself in 
rocker.) Here I am just touching on fifty-eight, and all along I've acted 
like sixty. That is, I've acted like some one sixty years old, and not 
exactly that either, because most people sixty years old act decent-like 
and get some enjoyment out of life. But I always was cross-like, least- 
wise ever since Hannah Takehim done what she did. But Hannah's dead 
now. and Jeremiah's a widower and most blind. Pshaw ! them things are 
all passed now, and I am going to live like other folks. Dear me, yon 
don't just know how good I did feel after I had said good afternoon to 
Jessie, yesterday. And how nice she did talk to me, and she said she 
hoped I would have a nice Christmas ! And after she went on her way, 
I just thought to myself, Jerusha, just try and have a real nice Christ- 
mas once, and so I sets to work and made pie and cake, and molasses 
candy, and popcorn, and then I thought I would have a Christmas tree 



What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble 5 



all to myself. Only it ain't going to be a real tree, but just my new 
broom fixed up. \vhen I was a little girl our poor dear mother used 
to tix up the broom on Christmas, and we children had lots of fun with 
It. You see we were very poor, and mother couldn't afford to buy a real 
tree, so we made the broom answer instead. They are going to have a 
real tree up at the church to-night and wouldn't I like to see it? If I 
was like other folks I would go up there. Yes, and I will go, too ! Now 
I'll lay out that old print skirt, and when I get time I will press it (Lays 
out the things as she talks.) And I'll fix my old bonnet over, and I'll 
darn the holes in my black gloves, and go to the Christmas tree to-night 
Now I must write this all down or I will forget about it. (Writes.) 
There now! I'll fix up my own tree first before I do anything else. 
(Stands the broom up near her rocker, -fixed so that it can tie easily 
knocked over.) There, I guess that will do. It seems that the more I 
do to-day the happier I get. Now I'll put this popcorn trimming on— and 
this 'copia I'll put on, and yes, I'll just write Jessie's name on it, too. 
And this handkerchief is for Isabel. And this ribbon is for Julia. 
Wouldn't those girls laugh if they could see my Christmas tree and pres- 
ents on It for them? But it ain't likely they will ever know that I was 
so foolish. I have always been so cross and cranky that no one ever 
comes here to see me, but I do mean to be different from now on. (As 
she finishes fixing up the broom.) There, that does look real nice. Now 
I will just sit down and look at it before I get things fixed up for to- 
night. (Seats herself in chair and admires the tree.) Jerusha Grumble, 
this has been your happiest Christmas since Hannah Takehim. . . '. 
But as I said before, Hannah's dead now, and Jeremiah's a widower and 
most blind. (Falls asleep in the chair. Chair placed so she cannot be seen 
from door. Girls knock at door. Jerusha does not waken. Girls open 
door a Uttle and peep in, but do not see her.) 

Julia. Now Hazel, go in. You said that you would lead the way. 
Hazel. Oh, supposing she gets mad and drives us away. You all know 
what a cross-patch Jerusha is. 

Jessie. Well, girls, all call out, "Merry Christmas, Jerusha," and then 
walk right in and begin to admire everything she has. 
Isabel. Knock once more on the inside of the door. 
Hazel. Here goes! Are you ready? 

Isabel. Yes, Hazel, do for pity's sake rap hard. Maybe she is upstairs. 
Hazel (raises her hand to knock). Oh, girls, how can I? 
Julia. You said you would. Hazel, now go ahead. Be quick! 
Hazel. All ready, girls. (Raps at the door; no answer. All laugh and 
giggle.) She must be out or asleep. I'll rap again. (Raps again and 
waits.) 

Jessie. She may be sick. Let's go right in. I'll lead the way if Hazel 
won't. 

Hazel. Oh, do go Jessie, we will all follow you. (All tiptoe in and find 
Jerusha asleep. Examine the tree and find the note Jerusha zvrote.) 
Isabel. Poor Jerusha is trying to have a Christmas tree all to herself, 
and by the way this reminder reads, I should think she was going to fix 
up for a visit somewhere. 

Jessie^ (who has examined the tree). Here is something for each of us 
on this broom Christmas tree ! I wonder what it means, anyway. Per- 
haps Jerusha is trying to live a better life, and if so, then we girls must 
help her. 



6 What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble 



Julia (who has been examining the dress, bonnet and gloves). I say, girls, 
let's fix up these things while Jerusha is asleep, and perhaps it will please 
her, when she wakes up, to find her work all finished. I will mend the 
gloves, and Jessie, you fix up the bonnet, and Hazel can help you, while 
Isabel presses out the skirt. Now all work quietly and fast, for she may 
soon wake up. (All get to work.) 

Isabel (admires the skirt, which is of very loud or gay pattern). I guess 
Jerusha's grandmother must have worn this dress. It's most loud enough 
to wake Jerusha out of her sleep. I wonder how long it has been in the 
family? (Here Isabel drops the iron on the floor. All frightened. Jessie 
places forefinger on her lips. Hazel stands up with one hand over her 
mouth and holding bonnet by one string. Isabel holds up both hands and 
one foot. Julia, very much frightened, looks at sleeping Jerusha.) 

Isabel. My ! but I nearly did it that time, girls. Jerusha is a good sleeper. 
1 11 be more careful this time. (Goes on zvith ironing.) 

Hazel. I would put that feather in this way, Jessie, if I were doing it. 
Jessie. I think this is the best way. Hazel. Just see how graceful it is ! 
(Holding up the bonnet.) 

Julia. My job is done. How about you, Isabel, is that dress pressed out 
yet? Oh, how I would like to see you in a dress like that. Do put it 
on, Isabel, do now. just for fun. 

Isrbel. What if Jerusha should wake up and catch me with her dress 
on? She would be awfully angry. No — no, I can't do it. 

Hazel. Oh, do put it on, Isabel, and the bonnet, too. We will be as 
quiet as mice, and Jerusha won't know a thing about it. Come, we will 
help you with it. 

Isabel. Well, if you all keep very quiet, I will see how it fits me. (Puts 
on the dress and bonnet.) 

Julia. Oh, what a picture you are, Isabel. Just turn around so we can 
see you. How sweet you look. Great grandmother, Isabel. (All laugh 
and have a good time as Isabel walks around the room. Finally some one 
knocks the broom over on Jerusha, who wakes up with a start.) 

Jerusha. Mercy me, what does this mean? Where did you all come 
from? Who are you all? Oh, I know you. Hazel! You who called me 
a cranky old maid ! (Grabs the broom, to threaten Hazel.) 

Hazel (very much frightened). Now don't use your broom on me, 
Jerusha. Please don't. You had it all fixed up for a Christmas tree, and 
had presents on it for each of us, and now will you use it to drive us 
out of the house. 

Jessie (soothingly to Jerusha, placing hand on her shoulder). Dear 
Jerusha, let me explain it all to you. You see we girls came here to 
spend the afternoon with you, and we knocked and knocked at the door, 
and as you did not answer, we thought that you were sick in bed. So 
we came right in and found you asleep, and you looked so tired we 
thought that we would let you sleep on, while we fixed up the things you 
had laid out for repairs. Now please don't be angry with us, dear. 

Jerusha (spies Isabel in the corner with her dress and bonnet on). Isa- 
bel, what are you doing with my dress on? And I declare, but you have 
my bonnet, too ! 

Isabel (timidly). Oh, Jerusha, after we got them all fixed up, we thought 
we would like to see how they would look. (Admiringly.) Really, dear 



What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble 



Jerusha, this is a beautiful dress. You don't see any like it nowadays, 
do you, girls? No Jerusha, we meant no offence, so you'll excuse us, 
won't you? 

Julia. No, Jerusha, we meant no harm. But do please sit down (leads 
her to chair), and tell us how you came to make a Christmas tree out of 
your broom. And why did you put presents on it for us girls? You must 
have had a reason for doing it. 

Jerusha (sits down, wipes tears from eyes. Julia sits beside her.) Dear 
me, girls, I am real glad that you have come, even if you did find me ao- 
ing foolish things. But really I ain't been so h^ppy on Christmas before, 
since Hannah Takehim done what she did. But pshaw, Hannah's dead 
now these twenty years, and Jeremiah's still a widower, but most blind. 
But you want to know about the broom Christmas tree, and I will tsU you. 
You see, when I was a little girl we lived in the city, and we were al- 
ways very poor, and when Christmas came we always wanted a tree. 
But our mother, with six children, never could afford to buy one for us. 
So we always dressed up the broom for a Christmas tree, and what fun 
we did have ! A few days ago, as I sat by the window, I saw some 
men go by with a great big tree for the church, and I thinks to myself, 
Jerusha, wouldn't you like to go to a Christmas exercise once more? And 
I said "yes" to myself. But then I thought how mean I had always been 
to every one, ever since Hannah Takehim done what she did. But pshaw, 
Hannah's dead this many a year, and Jeremiah's still a widower. Still, 
I says to myself, Jerusha, you must do different, and I just made up my 
mind that I will be different, and I will speak pleasant-like to people, and 
I would go where the neighbors were, and up to the Christmas tree I 
thought was just the place to begin. 

J-Jazel. Yes, Jerusha, that will be nice and brave of you to come up to 
the Christmas exercises to-night, and one of the reasons why we came 
here was to ask you to go up to the church with us. We expect to have 
a splendid time. You will come with us, won't you, Jerusha? 

Jerusha. I think it is real nice of you, Hazel, to invite me to go, much 
nicer than to call me a cranky old maid. (Jerusha reaches for her hand- 
kerchief. Hazel thinks she is reaching for the broom and starts for the 
door.) Don't be afraid, Hazel, no, no, don't be afraid. I know I was 
cranky and mean, but I wouldn't be an old maid if Hannah Takehim 
hadn't done what she did. But pshaw 

Julia. Jerusha, you haven't said that you would go with us to the exer- 
cises to-night. We girls would dearly love to have you go. You will 
meet a lot of people there that you know. 

Jerusha. Yes, and a lot that I never liked and who never liked Jerusha 
Grumble, either. 

Jsahel. But Jerusha that is just the place to become good friends. You 

know that Christmas was the time that the angels sang, "Peace on earth, 

good-will toward men." Now let us make it peace right here in our 

own village. You must know Mr. Coutant, and Mr. Bennett and Mr. 

Macdonald. 

Jerusha. Oh, yes, I know all them. Mr. Macdonald is superintendent of 

the Sunday-school, ain't he, Jessie? 

Jessie. Yes, my father is the superintendent of the Sunday-school. 



8 What Christmas Did for Jerusha Grumble 



lerusha. Well, your father is 'most old enough to remember what Han- 
nah Takehim did. But, oh, pshaw! Hannah's dead these twenty years, 
and Jeremiah's a widower still, and most blind. And I am just touching 
on fifty-eight, so your father will remember. It's no wonder I am a 
cranky old maid, (Hazel starts up again.) 

Jessie. Let us all meet at my house, and go up together. I know that 
every one will try to make it pleasant for you, Jerusha. We will tell all 
our friends that you are coming to the exercises, and they won't be sur- 
prised when they see you. 

Hazel And I know that some young ladies will have a little present on 
the tree for you to prove that they appreciate your coming. 
Isabel (putting on her wraps). Please don't fix up too much, Jerusha, 
for we are all plain people up there and we don't put on any airs. 
Jerusha. No, no, I won't fix up much. I may wear the things you girls 
so kindly fixed up for me, and again I may wear my first best ones. 
Julia (all should now have wraps on to go home). Girls, let's sing a 
Christmas song for Jerusha before we start for home. (All stand in 
line, join hands and swing them hack and forth child-fashion, while they 
sing a verse of some familiar Christmas song. At the second verse, Jeru- 
sha takes her place in the middle of the line and sings and swings with 
the girls.) 

Jerusha (near close of second verse says). If only Hannah Takehim 
could see me now ! ' But pshaw 

Jessie. Merry Christmas, Jerusha. Now be on time. (All say, "Merry 
Christmas.'') 

Jerusha (as the girls are leaving). I'll be there on time, don't fear. 
(Speaking to the audience.) Now ain't this been just splendid? And 
ain't those young girls just lovely? I don't think that Hazel will ever 
call me a cranky old maid again. And I do just hope that Jeremiah 
will be at the Christmas tree exercises. I'll just show him that Jerusha 
Grumble can go out in society even if I am touching on fifty-eight and 
an old maid, which he knows I wouldn't be if Hannah Takehim hadn't 
done what she did. But pshaw! I must get ready for the Christmas 
tree or I will be late, and I think after all that I will wear my first best 
clothes, and look real pert — perter than Hannah — but pshaw! 



Exit 



(If used at the close of a Christmas exercise, have the girls and 
Jerusha come up the aisle of the church or hall sometime during 
the distribution of the presents. Jerusha should then he dressed 
in her "first best clothes.") 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Entertainments—Tullar-Mereditli Co.- 



Christmas Plays 





017 400 395 6 



(+)OX>A: OB A CHBZSTM&S PBESEITT FOB MOTHEB. In this 

little 15-minute play the Christmas present the three children 
of the "Good" family find for mother is none other than "Ola," 
a street waif who comes in to get warm while mother is out 
shopping. Alta, the only girl in the falmily, has been wishing 
she had a sister to share the trials which two (2) wideawake 
brothers bring to her, so she has a double motive in wanting 
to hide Ola away when mother comes and then bring her out 
and present her as a Christmas present to mother. Only five 
characters, 2 boys, 2 girls, and 1 A^om an, required. No special 
costumes needed, and the one home scene is simple to provide. 
Five copies required. Price 30 cts., postpaid. 

(+) MISCHIEVOUS ESTKZiB AT GBANBMOTEEB'S. It was all 

Grandmother's fault. Having so many nice things hidden 
about the house at Christmastime should not be permitted, 
when the grandchildren are to be left in the house alone 
while grandmother goes out for the afternoon. Of course the 
boys were not mischievous, not even curious, but with Esther 
it was different, for she was a girl. She was a very sWeet one 
though, especially when the molasses she got into was all over 
her apron. It was Christmastime and eye^ry thing ends right 
during this happy season, so putting the soiled apron into the 
box from which she took the kitten and putting the kitten into 
the wash basin intended for the apron was only a slight mixup^ 
from which mischievous Esther would soon clear herself. 
Three characters, 1 girl and 2 bpys, 12 years of age, are em- 
ployed. A simple sitting-room scene; no special costumes; time 
about 15 minutes. 3 copies only required. Price 25 cts., post- 
paid. 
TEZiEPHONZlTQ TO SANTA CBAUS. A Christmas dialogue 

for two (2) girls, ten (10) or twelve (12) years of age, who 
conceive the idea of using the telephone to tell Santa Glaus 
what they most want, and suffer no great surprise when the 
very things asked for reach them through the "phone." A 
simple sitting-room scene in which a make-believe "phone" is 
installed furnishes the setting. Time of rendition ^bout 10 
minutes. Price 25 cts., postpaid. 

(4')WSAT CBBISTMAS BIB FOB JEBT7SBA OBUDIBZ.B, Self- 
confessedly, she was only 58, but for years she had acted like 
sixty, that is to say,— oh well, in nature she had been true to 
her name, and when ohe's nature suggests a name like hers, 
it's quite a job to change it. She couldn't forget that, many 
years before, she had expected to change her name, but, oh 
well, it wasn't her fault, and Christmas came along and helped 
her to cover up the past and open a new future for her. Of 
course it couldn't change her namie, but this little play tells 
how very effectively it did change her nature, and then the con- 
trast between name and nature was a Charm in the hitherto 
repulsive life. It's a pretty story, made into a pleasing Christ- 
mas play. 1*here are five characters, all girls; two scenes, 
easily arranged. Quite ordinary costumes ?tre used and only 
5 copies of the book required. Time about 30 minutes. Price 
30 cts.. postpaid. 

(4i)WANTJSD^CHRISTMAS SPIBIT. In Prolog, Three Scenet and 
Epilog. By Hester L. Hopkins. 22 females and 13 male characters In 
the entire play, but it can be given with 8 females and 7 males by 
having some assume different characters in various scenes. Time 
of rendition. 30 to 40 minutes. If only 15 people take part , 12 copies 
will be required. Price 30 cents per copy, postpaid. 

(Hh) CHRISTMAS CHEEB. A play in two acts for six females. Time of 
rendition about 20 minutes. 

Pour young ladies are the members of a Sunday School class 
whose teacher has asked that each member of the class shall do 
something to bring "Christmas Cheer" to someone who would not 
otherwise be remembered. Each of the girls, unbeknown to the 
other members of the class, decides to make the "Jones Family" 
the object of her Christmas rlslt. 

It turns out to be <iuite a "Surprise party." While one of the 
girls prepares the Chri&tmas pie, the others of the class provide a 
pleasant entertainment. When the Christmns pie is cut, Caroline 
and Amanda find that it is filled with th6 presents which the class 
brought. Simple setting and costumes. 6 copies required. Price 25 
cents. Postpaid. 

I/ihe number of copies specified as **REQUIRED*' is' ordered at one time, a 
discount o/jj l-j per cent nvil! be allonued front list price on all the abo've. 



